Chapter 5.12
AMBULANCES
Sections:
5.12.020 Permits and license required.
5.12.030 Exhibition of license required.
5.12.040 Color identification required.
5.12.070 Mechanical equipment and conditions.
5.12.090 Public liability insurance required.
5.12.100 Service availability.
5.12.110 Application for license and permit.
5.12.120 License applicant – Information required.
5.12.140 License transfer to new vehicle – Fee.
5.12.150 Revocation of license.
5.12.010 Definitions.
(1) As stated herein, “ambulance” means and includes any motor vehicle acting as a common carrier for hire for the transportation or conveyance of the sick or injured.
(2) As used herein, “operating an ambulance” applies to the operation of any ambulance which:
(a) Is stationed within the city;
(b) Is dispatched from within or without the corporate limits of Washougal and repeatedly or customarily makes trips for hire within the city to pick up injured or sick fares; or
(c) Makes any trips into Washougal for that purpose after occasional or repeated advertising, within Washougal, for such service; provided, that the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any ambulance which shall pass through the city in the delivery of fares picked up at points beyond the city limits.
(3) As used herein, “ambulance licensee” means and includes any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of carrying or transporting any sick or injured person, for hire, by the use of any automobile or vehicle designed or adapted for such purpose. (Ord. 304 § 1, 1963)
5.12.020 Permits and license required.
No person, firm or corporation shall operate, or cause to be operated, any ambulance in the city without first securing from the clerk and having a valid ambulance licensee’s permit and obtaining an ambulance license for each ambulance so operated; provided however, that the number of persons, firms or corporations licensed shall be limited to not more than one person, firm or corporation for each 7,000, or fraction thereof, of population within the city limits. (Ord. 304 § 2, 1963)
5.12.030 Exhibition of license required.
Each licensee shall cause the city’s ambulance license to be prominently displayed in the interior of the ambulance in a position where it may be seen and read by any person. (Ord. 304 § 3, 1963)
5.12.040 Color identification required.
Each ambulance licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall contain the name of the licensee, be painted in the colors and in the manner set forth in the license application, and no ambulance shall be painted a color deceptively similar to any color scheme being used by any previous licensee. (Ord. 304 § 4, 1963)
5.12.050 Crew requirements.
No person, firm or corporation shall operate any ambulance in the city without the ambulance being attended by a crew of two able-bodied persons, at least one of whom shall be over the age of 21 years and shall hold a valid state vehicle operator’s license and shall hold an advanced first-aid certificate issued by the American Red Cross, state of Washington, Department of Labor and Industries, or other comparable instructional group or organization. (Ord. 304 § 5, 1963)
5.12.060 First-aid equipment.
Each such ambulance shall at all times be equipped as follows:
(1) First-aid equipment consisting of leg and arm splints and standard 24 unit first-aid kits, as prescribed by the American Red Cross or the state of Washington, Department of Labor and Industries;
(2) Invalid couch-type bed on wheels;
(3) Stretcher for a second patient on floor or hanger;
(4) Bandages, tourniquets and splints;
(5) Oxygen tank equipped with hose and face piece and reserve type of equipment for administering;
(6) Fresh clean linen and blankets sufficient for two patients;
(7) Towels, male and female urinals, restraints, fire extinguisher, basin, fan and heater. (Ord. 304 § 6, 1963)
5.12.070 Mechanical equipment and conditions.
Each such ambulance shall be equipped as required by Chapters 46.36 and 46.40 RCW, and maintained without known mechanical defects. (Ord. 304 § 7, 1963)
5.12.080 Inspection required.
The chief of police shall inspect all ambulances prior to issuance of any license as herein provided to insure compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and at least once per year thereafter or at any time as he shall deem necessary and proper. (Ord. 304 § 8, 1963)
5.12.090 Public liability insurance required.
No license shall be issued hereunder for any ambulance until the ambulance be covered with public liability insurance in the amounts of $25,000 for personal injuries to one person or $50,000 for more than one person arising out of each accident or occurrence and property damage insurance in the amount of $10,000 for each accident or occurrence. (Ord. 304 § 9, 1963)
5.12.100 Service availability.
A licensee may publicly list or advertise telephone numbers only of telephones located at his headquarters or stations where the licensee has an ambulance stationed on 24-hour availability.
A licensee or his telephone operator shall advise every person calling for ambulance service whether or not the licensee has an ambulance available to immediately respond to the call, and if not, the approximate time delay before an ambulance will be available. (Ord. 304 § 10, 1963)
5.12.110 Application for license and permit.
Application for an ambulance license permit and ambulance license shall be made upon such form as the clerk shall prescribe, which application shall be accompanied with the annual license fee and with a certificate of the chief of police that the ambulance or ambulances for the licensing of which application is made is equipped and maintained in compliance with the minimum standards required by this chapter and state law as to first-aid equipment and accessories and state law relating to vehicle lighting and other mechanical equipment. (Ord. 304 § 11, 1963)
5.12.120 License applicant – Information required.
In addition to such other information as the clerk shall require, the applicant for an ambulance license shall provide:
(1) By sworn statement the following information:
(a) Name and address of person, firm or corporation desiring such ambulance permit or license;
(b) The number and description of ambulance owned by and operated by the applicant and the location of each;
(c) The distinguishing color scheme, design or dress, including any monogram or insignia to be used on such ambulance;
(2) The following documents:
(a) A certificate from the chief of police that the applicant has the minimum first-aid equipment and that the ambulance complies in other regards with this chapter and the state law;
(b) A policy of insurance as required by this chapter, which policy shall contain an endorsement providing that 10 days’ notice to the city will be given by the insurance company in the event of any material change or cancellation. (Ord. 304 § 12, 1963)
5.12.130 Annual license fee.
The ambulance license shall expire on the last day of December next following the issuance thereof and may be renewed from year to year by the city clerk upon such evidence as shall be required by him that:
(1) The holder thereof is complying with the minimum of the chapter as to equipment and accessories,
(2) That the operator or crews of the ambulance have not, during the past year, violated provisions of this chapter or other city ordinances in the operation of such ambulance so as to unreasonably endanger the lives or property of passengers or other members of the public. The annual license fee shall be $25.00. (Ord. 304 § 13, 1963)
5.12.140 License transfer to new vehicle – Fee.
Licenses issued for any vehicle may be transferred to another vehicle belonging to the same licensee upon filing with the city clerk an application therefor, duly verified and showing that the vehicle previously licensed has become obsolete or has been destroyed and that such vehicle is no longer to be used for the purpose herein contemplated. The vehicle to which the license is transferred shall conform with all the requirements of this chapter as upon original licensing. If satisfied that the transfer is in good faith and not for the purpose of evasion, the city clerk shall require a surrender of the former certificate and issue a new one, charging therefor a transfer fee of $10.00. (Ord. 304 § 14, 1963)
5.12.150 Revocation of license.
Any such license shall be subject to revocation by the city manager, subject to approval by the city council:
(1) Upon conviction of the operator for failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter; or
(2) Upon being found guilty of failure to comply with the provisions hereof after notice and opportunity to be heard as hereinafter provided.
The following acts shall be deemed sufficient reason for canceling an existing permit or declining to issue a new annual permit:
(a) Tuning in on police radio calls,
(b) Poor condition of ambulance equipment or supplies; and failure to comply with notice of chief of police and to correct defective equipment or supplies,
(c) Failure to have a properly qualified crew,
(d) Unnecessary delay in answering calls,
(e) Failure to acquire and keep in force the required amount of public liability insurance;
(3) No such license shall be revoked or suspended unless charges in writing shall first be filed with the city clerk setting forth with reasonable certainty the nature of such charges against the licensee. Upon the filing of charges as aforesaid, the city manager shall fix a time and place for the hearing of the charges before the hearing examiner and a copy of the charges as filed, together with the notice of time and place of hearing, shall be served upon the licensee or ambulance owner at least five days prior to the date fixed by the city manager for the hearing.
Any notice provided in this chapter shall be served either:
(a) Day delivery or a copy personally to the licensee or ambulance owner affected, or
(b) By leaving a copy with some person of suitable age and discretion at the place of business, or if no such person be found at such place of business, then by leaving such notice in a conspicuous place on the premises, and mailing a copy of the notice to the licensee or ambulance owner as set forth in his application for license. At the hearing on the charges, the licensee or ambulance owner shall have the right to appear and defend the charges and, if he so desires, to be represented by counsel. (Ord. 1913 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 304 § 15, 1963)